Downgrade Windows 7 Ultimate to Professional?

[ksherman]

Howdy!

I just built a computer for a friend, I used Windows 7 Ultimate x64 RTM from MSDN, and he has a pre-order coming for his own key of Windows 7 at the end of October, doing the whole extended trial thing until his copy comes in. Thing is, I installed Ultimate on his machine, because that was the version I downloaded. But the copy he bought was for Windows 7 Professional x64.

I have read that it was not possible to use the Pro key to activate his copy. It was my (seemly mistaken) impression that like Vista which unlocked or locked features based on the key, I would simply put the Pro key into the activation and his install would just revert to the Professional version.

Is this no longer the case? What are my options?

Thanks, as always.

 

[soccerballtux]

Nope, gotta reformat, I had the same problem. Find an x64 7 Pro RTM image.

 

[ksherman]

Can I get one and just run the setup to 'upgrade' rather than a fresh installation?

 

[stevty2889]

Originally posted by: ksherman
Can I get one and just run the setup to 'upgrade' rather than a fresh installation?

No, because you can't "upgrade" to a version with less features, you have no choice other than fresh install.

 

[KeypoX]

I think every iso has all the versions on there, you just gotta remove the ei.cfg file.

google ei.cfg

or go here http://windows7center.com/news...n-or-sku-of-windows-7/

 

[GeekDrew]

Originally posted by: KeypoX
I think every iso has all the versions on there, you just gotta remove the ei.cfg file.

google ei.cfg

or go here http://windows7center.com/news...n-or-sku-of-windows-7/

That only applies to reinstallation from media, and it still won't allow him to upgrade to a lower version.